Martha Elaine "Marty" "Mugs" Coates

     Martha Elaine "Marty" "Mugs" Coates, age 80, of Elsie, Michigan, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Ovid Healthcare Senior Care Home, Ovid, Michigan.
     Funeral Services will be held at Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 25, 2025, with Pastor JD Paik officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, Michigan. Visitation will be held on Monday at 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church.
     Martha was born in St. Johns, Michigan on August 10, 1945, the daughter of Andrew Whitney and E. Jean (Mansfield) Cobb. She graduated from Elsie High School with the Class of 1963. Martha earned her Masters' Degree in Education through MSU.
     Martha began her career as an elementary teacher in Detroit in 1967. She then transferred to Waverly Public Schools where she taught for forty-one years, retiring in 2010. Her love of teaching was evident to all of her students. Textbooks weren't her style, she brought her own life into her lessons. She led a popular end-of-the-year camping trip to Wesley Woods for many years. She was a recipient of the Crystal Apple Award for outstanding educators twice.
     Throughout her life, Martha maintained her love of MSU and was a huge supporter of Spartan Sports attending many games. She was a life member of the MSU Alumni Association. In recent years, Martha was an active member of the Michigan Centennial Farm Association and served as president for several years.
     She is survived by three siblings: Lee Cobb of Grand Rapids, MI, Shirley (Glen) Larsen of Grand Blanc, MI, and Alan (Mary Ann) Cobb of DeWitt, MI; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, special friend Jerry Marshall, brother Larry Cobb, sister-in-law Jackie Cobb, and nephew Michael Cobb.
     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the MSU Ralph Young Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.